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Sardine die-off appears over as virus tests continue

Published

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment says it has had no new reports of dead sardines since 10 September. It says the acute mortality phase has ended, and results of laboratory tests for pilchard herpesvirus are due during the coming week.

A precautionary catch limit is in force from 3 to 30 October 2026. Each right holder may harvest at most 33% of the remaining uncaught 2026 directed sardine total allowable catch. The sightings of dead sardines were reported at places including Cape Agulhas, Hondeklip Bay and Port St Johns.

The department said detecting viral material alone does not establish active disease. It said pilchard herpesvirus is a fish virus and is not known to infect people. It added that commercially produced sardine products released through regulated channels remain safe.

The Small Pelagic Scientific Working Group is expected to reassess the situation on 27 October 2026. An end-of-year hydroacoustic survey is planned to start in early November.

Key facts

Who
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (government department issuing the statement on the sardine mortality event); Small Pelagic Scientific Working Group (body expected to reassess the situation on 27 October 2026)
What
The DFFE reported no new dead sardine sightings since 10 September and said the acute mortality phase has ended. Further laboratory testing for pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) is underway, with results expected during the coming week, and a precautionary catch limit is in force from 3 to 30 October 2026.
When
11 October 2026
Where
South Africa, Cape Agulhas, Hondeklip Bay
Status
Reported

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